Charlottesville Rally for Reproductive Rights

This Thursday, July 7th, supporters of women’s reproductive rights will be gathering outside of the Federal Court House in Charlottesville to express support for the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld these rights. They will also be calling for an end to Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws.

Jennifer Lewis and Kobby Kaufman have organized this demonstration on behalf of the Charlottesville National Organization for Women (CNOW) and Blue Ridge Abortion Assistance Fund (BRAAF). TRAP laws are a thinly veiled effort to block access to legal, safe abortion, they point out. “Abortion rights are essential for true equality and this gathering is to highlight opposition to the US Congress and state legislatures making decisions for women about what they can and can’t do regarding their own bodies,” they said.

As a result of this most recent ruling, there is an expectation that those opposed to abortion will introduce more nuanced TRAP laws in the upcoming legislative sessions. The demonstration Thursday allows women’s rights supporters to stand together and provide a reminder that they care and they vote for reproductive rights!

CNOW and BRAAF continue to stand up for women making their own health care and family life decisions and believe all women should have access to contraception, family planning and educational services. “We know that 30% of women will have an abortion and that 59% of women who have abortions already have children. Access to birth control, education and support has led to an overall decrease in abortions over the last 25 years.“

Supporters are invited to join them this Thursday to make a stand for women’s rights. Lewis and Hoffman also want to take this opportunity to thank all the women and men who provide care and these important services to women.